nw haz waste conference - june 2, 2003 implementing the mercury chemical action plan
TRANSCRIPT
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Presentation Overview Background and Context MCAP Development Process Summary of Findings of MCAP MCAP Implementation Legislation Other Activities
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Some Facts about Mercury
What mercury is:
Naturally occurring element (Hg) A “persistent, bioaccumulative toxin”
(PBT) Four-fold increase of mercury entering
environment due to consumer, medical/dental, industrial, uses and coal/diesel fuel combustion
Majority of mercury pollution globally and locally is from human-caused sources – NOT natural sources
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Some Facts about Mercury
Health impacts of mercury
A potent neurotoxicant that can damage liver, CNS, kidneys, even at low levels
Methyl-mercury crosses the “blood-brain barrier” in humans
CDC estimates 10% of US women of child-bearing age is exposed to mercury at levels where harm could occur
NAS Study estimates that 60,000 US infants/year face increased risk of brain damage because of in-utero exposure to mercury
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
DOH Fish Consumption Advisoryfor canned tuna due to mercury
FISH IS GOOD FOOD, but… Limit the amount of canned tuna you eat, based upon your
bodyweight. Guidelines are: Women of childbearing age should limit the amount of
canned tuna they eat to about one can per week (six ounces). A woman who weighs less than 135 pounds should eat less than one can of tuna per week.
Children under six should eat less than one half a can of tuna (three ounces) per week. Specific weekly limits for children under six range from one ounce for a child who weighs about 20 pounds, to three ounces for a child who weighs about 60 pounds.
Too much mercury can have health impacts on everyone, but women of childbearing age and children under six are especially at risk... “
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
2002 Legislative Direction
“…develop a planned strategy for the reduction of mercury from the environment.”
Involve advisory committee in plan development with balanced representation
Issue draft plan for 60 day public comment
Finalize plan by end of 2002
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Mercury Advisory Committee
Local Government King County City of Tacoma Southwest Clean Air Agency
Public Health Whatcom County Health Dept. Yakima County Health District Inst. Of Neurotoxicology
Community Groups Physicians for Social
Responsibility WashPIRG
Environmental Groups People for Puget Sound WA Toxics Coalition WA Wilderness & Recreation
Coalition
Agriculture General Agriculture Pacific Seafood Processors
Assoc. Business
WA State Dental Assoc. WA State Hospital Assoc. Echo Bay Mineral Co. Eco-Lights Assoc. of WA Businesses Transalta Centralia WA Funeral Directors Assoc. Small Businesses Alliance of Automobile Manuf.
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Process: 2002 - Completed Jan – Mar Draft Background Document March Mercury Advisory Comm created April 1st Mercury Advisory Comm mtg.
Written comment by Adv. Comm. May Gaps in knowledge identified
Preliminary Draft MCAP June 2nd Mercury Advisory Comm mtg July-Aug Comment by Adv. Comm. &
Ecology & Health Senior Mgmt MCAP Draft for Public
Comment
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Process: 2002 - Completed/Current
Sept - Oct 60 day [Sept 10 to Nov 8] public comment period
Public meetings in Tacoma and Moses Lake
November 3rd Mercury Advisory Comm mtg.
February 03 Final MCAP released
June 03 Response to Comments on the draft MCAP to be completed
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Goals of the Mercury Chemical Action
Plan Virtual elimination (continual reductions)
of the use and release of anthropogenic (man-made) mercury in Washington State
Minimize human exposure to mercury though better mercury collection, disposal, and management options
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Elements of the Mercury Chemical Action
Plan Overview of what we know about human-
caused sources of mercury in Washington List possible mercury reduction options
with recommendations Identify research needs Reduction actions will be staggered based
on Resources Knowledge Availability of non-mercury alternatives
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Estimated Hg in Products Disposed of in WA Annually
Mercury Products Estimated lbs. of Hg disposed annually
Fluorescent Lamps 437 - 505
Thermostats 412
Amalgam from Dental Offices
>404
Auto Light Switches 253
Button Cell Batteries 88
Dental Amalgam in Feces & Urine
61
Household Fever Thermometers
11 - 300
Total 1,666 – 2,023
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Estimated Annual Release from Point and Area Sources of Hg in
WASource Est. Annual
Release (lbs.)Receiving medium
Distillate Fuel #2 733 Air
Coal-fired power plants 436 Air
Manufacturing 337 Air, Land, Water
POTWs 331 Land
Oil Refineries 125 Air, land, Water
Medical Waste Autoclaves
106 Air, Land
Crematoria 57 Air
Sewage Sludge Incinerators
32 Air
Residual Fuel 29 Air
Municipal Waste Incinerators
18 Air
Gold Mining 0-777 Air, Land, Water
TOTAL 2,180 – 2,957
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Mercury Chemical Action Plan Conclusions
Significant amount of mercury released into WA’s environment from disposal of common consumer products (i.e. fluorescent light tubes, thermometers, thermostats).
Many WA residents are not aware of products that contain mercury, and are likely to dispose of certain mercury containing products with their garbage.
There is a need to educate WA residents about mercury in products and a need to provide clear disposal/recycling/and mercury management options
Mercury pollution is a global environmental problem (i.e. many fish consumption advisories, including some here in WA)
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Mercury Chemical Action Plan Conclusions
Three types of pollution sources and solutions: Local - Fluorescent lights, thermometers, thermostats
Solution – Public awareness and proper disposal options needed Local – Dental Amalgam Wastes, Medical Wastes
Solution – Use affordable and available technologies (Amalgam separators) in dental offices, and proper mercury separation practices in medical waste disposal
National – Coal combustion Solution – EPA addressing nationally
National – Need for a “national mercury repository” Solution – Work with ECOS on this issue
International – Mining of mercury and other metals Solution – Research/monitoring on amounts of mercury released
from mining activities International – Mercury in Certain Fish Species
Solution – Local, National, and Global mercury reduction efforts
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Key Recommendations in MCAP
for Implementation in 03-05 Develop MOU with WSDA to encourage installation of
amalgam separators and development of BMPs. Use existing rules after two year timeline.
Adopt Universal Waste Rule for largest feasible number of mercury-added products
Work with medical waste facilities and WSHA on mercury management and disposal practices.
Work with GA on ensuring state agency compliance with Universal Waste Rule
Work with Legislature and stakeholders on eliminating non-essential uses of mercury and improvements on recycling remaining mercury
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Mercury Chemical Action Plan Implementation 2003-
2005 Work with local governments and businesses to
promote, encourage, and assist in development of: Expand existing fluorescent light recycling
efforts Governor’s Directive to state agencies to recycle
lamps Seattle Mariners, Puget Sound Energy, Unico
Properties voluntary lamp recycling efforts
Household mercury fever thermometer collection/recycling programs
> 50,000 collected by local government collection efforts in February 2003
Memorandum with state dental association to phase in the installation and use of amalgam separators in state dental offices by 2005
Mercury Reduction and Education Act passed
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Recent Hg Collection Events
February 2003 – King, Kitsap, Thurston, City of Tacoma collected over 50,000 thermometers
April-May 2003 – Ecology participated in media events, dedications, or local expos in Vancouver, Spokane, Seattle & Bellingham promoting fluorescent lamp recycling – collected over 700 lamps (and 10 stadium lights from Safeco Field)
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
2003 SessionMercury Related
Legislation House Bill 1002 – Hg Reduction & Education Act
House vote on Feb 26: 97 Y – 0 N Senate Vote on April 17: 47 Y – 1 N House Vote on April 22: 97 Y – 0 N Signed into Law by Gov. Locke on May 14
Requires “Contains Hg” label on fluorescent lamps effective Jan ‘04
Bans sale of Hg containing novelty products, thermometers, manometers, thermostats, vehicle light switch Jan ’06
Bans use of bulk elemental Hg and Hg compounds in K-12 schools by Jan ‘06
Directs Ecology and Health to educate schools, local governments, businesses & public on proper disposal methods for Hg-added products
So this “bill” is now a “LAW”
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Ongoing Activities Related to Mercury and the MCAP
Fish tissue and sediments sampled in 20 freshwater lakes around state
Investigate mercury emissions in landfill gas at several landfills
Participated with WSHA in series of “Mercury Reduction in Hospitals” seminars
“Mercury awareness” telephone survey Working with ECOS/ASTSWMO “Quicksilver
Caucus” to develop proposals for long-term mercury management infrastructure
NW Haz Waste Conference - June 2, 2003
Additional Information Ecology’s PBT/Mercury Web Page:
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/pbt/pbtfaq.htmlOr
www.mercurymess.org
Or contact
Mike Gallagher P: 360-407-6868
Cheri PeeleP: 360-407-7203